They're off to Oktoberfest on Wednesday before Borussia Dortmund arrive on Sunday for the latest edition of Der Klassiker, so Bayern München will not be looking to ruin the party before it's even started when they play Dinamo Zagreb. Before the trip to the world-renowned beer festival and with excitement building for the top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash on Sunday, they'll be looking to cement their place at the summit of Champions League Group F against the Croatians tonight.
However, the German champions, who are benefitting from the fantastic form of goal machine Robert Lewandowksi, are not expecting an easy ride. "They've been Croatian champions for ten years in a row now and they always produce great players," warned chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "You shouldn't underestimate a side with such a large talent pool."
Dinamo are unbeaten in 45 competitive matches and recorded a phenomenal 2-1 win over Arsenal on the opening matchday. "Going 45 games without losing is a stat that tells you all you need to know," said manager Pep Guardiola. "We need to take them seriously." He added that his side can "only start to think about Dortmund on Wednesday."
Rummenigge: "We're at the start of a marathon"
Bayern themselves are looking in fantastic form, so much so that for many, the only question that remains is the margin of victory against Zagreb. "Perhaps," argued Matthias Sammer, "Arsenal thought the same thing." The sporting director is demanding sincerity as "the key for good performances,” and encouraging a "certain humility," despite the record-breaking start to the league season with seven wins from seven.
Rightly so, according to Rummenigge, who is vehemently against any talk of the "ominous" treble at this stage of the season: "I feel inclined to emphasise that Bayern München have only won the treble once in their 115-year history, failing to do so on the 114 other occasions." He added that the treble is only possible, "if absolutely everything goes our way." He considers any mention of it at this point to be "arrogant and disrespectful towards our opponents – we're at the start of a marathon."
Vidal and Rode injury doubts
Bayern have taken this on board at record pace, and their self-confidence is consequently very high. Captain Philipp Lahm believes that a focused performance "would allow us to get our next three points." That would lead to the "perfect start," on the way to topping the group, following the 3-0 win over Olympiacos in their opening group game.
Bayern will probably have to attempt this next step without Arturo Vidal, who has knee problems, whilst Sebastian Rode is also a doubt through injury. Guardiola will once again be looking to focus his team around Lewandowski, who has scored seven times in his last two league games. "I hope that he can keep up this great run," said the Spanish manager.
His opposite number Zoran Mamic knows the Bundesliga well, having played for Bochum and Leverkusen in the past. The Dinamo manager is now hoping for another scalp following the win against Arsenal. "Bayern are one of the three best teams in the world, but our aim is to remain unbeaten," said Mamic. "It might sound like I'm dreaming, but we were written off before the Arsenal game, too."
